Its been a solid final year in e-Communication. Nothing too eventful, but I definitely learned a lot.
One of the most useful things I learned this year is how to edit lighting, exposure and saturation in Final Cut Pro. I was editing the Sports Highlights video for the assembly and my classmate Ben Whitney recommended it. It definitely helped improve the quality and overall look of my interviews and added to the Golf joke I had in there. I didn't really face any challenges with it, as it was pretty simple and easy to get the hang of. I learned how to collaborate with other people better to enhance the quality of my packages. A great example is the aforementioned Golf joke, as well as the short video I did on honoring Ventura after he passed. My classmate Riley suggested that I show a tweet, then a clip, and so on and so forth like that. I learned more effective ways of communicating whether or not I'm going to finish a story. It's much better to tell the Producer rather than one of your friends. That way there's time to kind of re-plan the show so it's not in the script and doesn't accidentally get mentioned when we're live. I learned how to better plan interviews and when I need to film so that I have adequate time left afterwards to write the script, edit the video, and get it uploaded to my YouTube channel as well as my portfolio. I also learned how to be a better leader when I produced the show. I had to make sure the script and all of the news packages were going to be finished on time. I also managed the production of the show to ensure that everything went smoothly.
Learning new things definitely helped me identify what I was and wasn't very good at. With that being said, one of my greatest strengths is editing. I think I definitely improved a lot this year since I learned how to edit exposure and saturation, as well as stabilize a shot in Final Cut Pro. I also became a little better at editing highlight videos to the beat. Another one of my strengths is collaboration. I think I work pretty well with others and got a little better at it after receiving tips from classmates about what to do with some of my packages.
A weakness of mine is definitely filming. I think I improved a little bit this year since I tried to bring tripods to every interview and paid closer attention when I'm filming to make sure I'm holding the camera as steady as possible; however, there were slip ups here and there.
Taking from everything I've learned, I'm definitely going to apply these skills in the workforce in Broadcast Journalism. After shadowing a live broadcast of a Motocross event in St. Louis and meeting with a News Anchor from Fox 4, I've been told that I'm miles ahead of where they were at my age, so everything I've learned is going to be extremely useful.
Looking back on everything, I don't think there's anything I would change.
Overall, I think I had a pretty good year and surprisingly I'm not too nervous for College. I'm looking forward to how everything unfolds in college and where this takes me. It's been a long ride, but this next show is my last one. Feels great to finally be done, but it's hard to let go of all the friends I've made because I know there's a good chance I won't see a lot of them again.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Personal Written Reflection
First semester was alright, but it definitely could have been better.
I put out a few stories this semester, 2 of which were just highlight videos. I think they were all pretty good but they're lacking 2 interviews instead of just 1, and a stand up. Although, this has been the issue since the beginning of Junior year. I plan on fixing it going into second semester if I'm still in the class.
One of the first stories I put out this semester was my story on the new ONW principal Chris Zuck. Since this story only focused on one person, I think it's alright to have only one interview, but it probably would have been nice to have some interviews with students and have them give their opinion - as long as it's a positive one - and maybe hear what they thought about the change in principals. I also would have used a tripod while filming him working because a lot of my shots were pretty shaky. My last critique for this story is that I would have made the interview shot tighter. Outside of all that, it was a solid package. I liked the b-role I used of him just doing work. I think it was a good idea for b-role instead of just students working; it's more relevant to the focus of the story. He also gave some pretty detailed answers in the interview and gave me something to work with as well as helping tell the story.
My next story was of our new Athletic Director Joe Gunderson. I think this story had a pretty good interview set up; Mr. Gunderson was in focus and he wasn't overexposed. Something I would change is I would have made the shot a little tighter (Yes, I've noticed that a rather wide interview shot seems to be a recurring issue in these stories I put out). I also probably would have tried to get b-role of Mr. Gunderson working rather than just using b-role of students. B-role isn't my only problem though; the time we had for the interview was pretty limited and I couldn't ask him as many questions as I would have liked. I'm glad I got the story out on a crunch for time, but it would have added a little more to the story if I was able to ask him all of the interview questions and had b-role of him working like I had with Mr. Zuck. The lack of matching b-role was most likely due to poor planning on my end. Other than that, I think it was a decent story; Although, in my opinion, it was a drop in quality compared to the story on the new principal.
Following the Gunderson story, I did one on our new Sophomore Counselor, Elva Medina. I liked this story. My only critique would be on the interview; the window in the background let's in a lot of light, so much so that it just looks like a shiny white ball in the background, and that takes away from the quality. Lastly, Ms. Medina was not in focus in the interview. Besides the interview, it was a good package if you ask me.
I also put out a recap of open mic night. My only problem with this story is that every single shot used was extremely shaky. It was really really bad. And I have no one to blame but myself. A solid recap with some sub-par b-role in terms of steady shots. Below sub-par, in fact. Scrap that story.
My other 2 stories were highlight videos (first one, second one). Not much to be said about them; they were what you'd expect from a highlight video. Looking back I should have added a voice over to both of them and at least 1 interview. The shots were good though, and the music was school appropriate.
My most recent story was of the Winter Choir Concert. This was a good story. Jared edited and helped film this story. The shots were all steady and in focus. I think we did a good job. The voice over was solid too. I also think he did a great job editing and putting this story together, especially with all of the soundbites he used. The only things missing from this story are interviews. Outside of that, I consider this story a job well done.
I put out a few stories this semester, 2 of which were just highlight videos. I think they were all pretty good but they're lacking 2 interviews instead of just 1, and a stand up. Although, this has been the issue since the beginning of Junior year. I plan on fixing it going into second semester if I'm still in the class.
One of the first stories I put out this semester was my story on the new ONW principal Chris Zuck. Since this story only focused on one person, I think it's alright to have only one interview, but it probably would have been nice to have some interviews with students and have them give their opinion - as long as it's a positive one - and maybe hear what they thought about the change in principals. I also would have used a tripod while filming him working because a lot of my shots were pretty shaky. My last critique for this story is that I would have made the interview shot tighter. Outside of all that, it was a solid package. I liked the b-role I used of him just doing work. I think it was a good idea for b-role instead of just students working; it's more relevant to the focus of the story. He also gave some pretty detailed answers in the interview and gave me something to work with as well as helping tell the story.
My next story was of our new Athletic Director Joe Gunderson. I think this story had a pretty good interview set up; Mr. Gunderson was in focus and he wasn't overexposed. Something I would change is I would have made the shot a little tighter (Yes, I've noticed that a rather wide interview shot seems to be a recurring issue in these stories I put out). I also probably would have tried to get b-role of Mr. Gunderson working rather than just using b-role of students. B-role isn't my only problem though; the time we had for the interview was pretty limited and I couldn't ask him as many questions as I would have liked. I'm glad I got the story out on a crunch for time, but it would have added a little more to the story if I was able to ask him all of the interview questions and had b-role of him working like I had with Mr. Zuck. The lack of matching b-role was most likely due to poor planning on my end. Other than that, I think it was a decent story; Although, in my opinion, it was a drop in quality compared to the story on the new principal.
Following the Gunderson story, I did one on our new Sophomore Counselor, Elva Medina. I liked this story. My only critique would be on the interview; the window in the background let's in a lot of light, so much so that it just looks like a shiny white ball in the background, and that takes away from the quality. Lastly, Ms. Medina was not in focus in the interview. Besides the interview, it was a good package if you ask me.
I also put out a recap of open mic night. My only problem with this story is that every single shot used was extremely shaky. It was really really bad. And I have no one to blame but myself. A solid recap with some sub-par b-role in terms of steady shots. Below sub-par, in fact. Scrap that story.
My other 2 stories were highlight videos (first one, second one). Not much to be said about them; they were what you'd expect from a highlight video. Looking back I should have added a voice over to both of them and at least 1 interview. The shots were good though, and the music was school appropriate.
My most recent story was of the Winter Choir Concert. This was a good story. Jared edited and helped film this story. The shots were all steady and in focus. I think we did a good job. The voice over was solid too. I also think he did a great job editing and putting this story together, especially with all of the soundbites he used. The only things missing from this story are interviews. Outside of that, I consider this story a job well done.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Professional Article Review.
I read an article called "Use of E-Cigarettes by Young People is Major Concern." The article is about the rising use of E-Cigarettes by the youth and how this increase in its use is posing a major health risk for them and those around them. It talks about how e-cigarettes are much more harmful than most people think.
In this article the author argues that e-cigarettes are now a major public health concern and are the most commonly used tobacco product among youths. Because it's the youth that's taking up this unhealthy habit, the effects of e-cigarettes are much more devastating since they're still developing. This explains why the argument was more centered around the effects on youth rather than adults, since adults are far more developed than teenagers; however, adult use was mentioned, but the author quickly digressed.
The author of this article mainly used facts and previous studies to support their argument. One interesting fact the author used was that e-cigarette use among High School students has risen by 900% from 2011-2015. On top of that, 38% of High School students have admitted to trying e-cigarettes at least once. A study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 16% of High Schoolers used e-cigarettes in 2015. That percentage is up from 13.4% in 2014.
A strength of this article is that it uses shocking facts and legitimate studies to back up the claim. These facts were relevant to the main argument and it felt like they added to the article instead of just being thrown in there for the sake of having some sort of truth. However, a weakness of this article is that it doesn't elaborate on the interesting facts it provides and doesn't provide any deeper insight into them.
The author concludes that there needs to be greater education among parents, teachers, and coaches about the risks of using e-cigarettes.
I find the main point of this article to be still relevant today and significant. E-Cigarette use is not only a problem, but it's becoming more and more prominent in today's society. This was an article that needed to be published and hopefully it opens some users' eyes about the hazards of e-cigarettes. The evidence used is also very convincing. The author doesn't just tell you not to do it to avoid possible negative effects, rather the author tells you the statistics of the negative effects caused by e-cigarettes taking their toll on the user.
The only application I see for myself as a Journalist is to use more facts in my written stories. These add to the credibility of my articles and can help make them more persuasive if that's the goal.
How to Import Footage in Final Cut Pro (Technical Tutorial)
First, open up the Final Cut Pro Program.
Then, once it's opened and everything is loaded, click on "File" in the top left. Then, click "Import," then click on "Media..."
After you've clicked Media, a new window will pop up giving you options on where to import from. Select your SD Card from the left column under Devices. The SD Card is usually called "CAM SD" or something like that.
Once you've selected your SD Card from the left column, scroll down the list of clips until you find clips dated with today's date or whatever date you filmed on.
Select all of those clips. This can be done easily by shift left clicking the first clip and then shift left clicking the last clip. Then, click "Import All" in the bottom right.
After clicking "Import All" in the bottom right, Final Cut Pro will exit out of the window and begin actually importing the clips you selected. There will be loading circles in the bottom left of each clip if you've done everything correctly to this point. Please wait until the loading circles in the bottom left of each clip have disappeared completely before safely ejecting your SD Card.
When the loading circles in the bottom left of each clip have disappeared completely, the process is done and you've successfully imported your selected footage. You can now close out of Final Cut Pro and safely eject your SD Card.
Then, once it's opened and everything is loaded, click on "File" in the top left. Then, click "Import," then click on "Media..."
After you've clicked Media, a new window will pop up giving you options on where to import from. Select your SD Card from the left column under Devices. The SD Card is usually called "CAM SD" or something like that.
Once you've selected your SD Card from the left column, scroll down the list of clips until you find clips dated with today's date or whatever date you filmed on.
Select all of those clips. This can be done easily by shift left clicking the first clip and then shift left clicking the last clip. Then, click "Import All" in the bottom right.
After clicking "Import All" in the bottom right, Final Cut Pro will exit out of the window and begin actually importing the clips you selected. There will be loading circles in the bottom left of each clip if you've done everything correctly to this point. Please wait until the loading circles in the bottom left of each clip have disappeared completely before safely ejecting your SD Card.
When the loading circles in the bottom left of each clip have disappeared completely, the process is done and you've successfully imported your selected footage. You can now close out of Final Cut Pro and safely eject your SD Card.
Professional Project Review
I recently watched a KCTV5 story over the Missouri Board of Education's progress of Kansas City Public Schools. The scope of the story was to highlight the progress students in Kansas City, Missouri have made; test scores of the students are rising and they plan on keeping the momentum going.
The news story starts out with a stand up which I thought was interesting seeing as how most stories start with an interesting clip or soundbite to grab the audience's attention. The beginning stand up broke down why the rising test scores were a big deal and used the Kansas City Neighborhood Academy as an example. I think they used that academy as an example because they scored at full accreditation level. Following this was b-role of students at the Kansas City Neighborhood Academy doing paperwork. I thought the b-role matched well with the emphasis of the story and the shots they used were all in focus and steady.
The story was told through facts, a press interview with the superintendent and an interview with who I believe is a teacher in the school district.
One element from this story I would apply to my own stories is a stand up. They're a good transition and put a face to the voice the audience hears. Something I've learned that is in this story is J & L edits.
I think that one thing the journalist did well was match the b-role with what they were talking about. For example, when they were talking about Kansas City Neighborhood Academy, they showed footage of students from the academy working and did a stand up right outside the academy. However, an improvement they could make to this story is adding names to the people they interviewed. There was no lower third in any of their interviews and it made me question the credibility of those being interviewed since I didn't know who they were or how they were associated.
Overall, it was a good news package and very informative. My only major issue with it was the missing lower third in the interview. The voice over was solid and audio levels seemed to be consistent and at the right volume. The story also had 2 interviews. I'd give the news package a 9/10.
The news story starts out with a stand up which I thought was interesting seeing as how most stories start with an interesting clip or soundbite to grab the audience's attention. The beginning stand up broke down why the rising test scores were a big deal and used the Kansas City Neighborhood Academy as an example. I think they used that academy as an example because they scored at full accreditation level. Following this was b-role of students at the Kansas City Neighborhood Academy doing paperwork. I thought the b-role matched well with the emphasis of the story and the shots they used were all in focus and steady.
The story was told through facts, a press interview with the superintendent and an interview with who I believe is a teacher in the school district.
One element from this story I would apply to my own stories is a stand up. They're a good transition and put a face to the voice the audience hears. Something I've learned that is in this story is J & L edits.
I think that one thing the journalist did well was match the b-role with what they were talking about. For example, when they were talking about Kansas City Neighborhood Academy, they showed footage of students from the academy working and did a stand up right outside the academy. However, an improvement they could make to this story is adding names to the people they interviewed. There was no lower third in any of their interviews and it made me question the credibility of those being interviewed since I didn't know who they were or how they were associated.
Overall, it was a good news package and very informative. My only major issue with it was the missing lower third in the interview. The voice over was solid and audio levels seemed to be consistent and at the right volume. The story also had 2 interviews. I'd give the news package a 9/10.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Semester 2 Final Reflection
Throughout my time in Convergence Journalism this year I've learned a lot, and although some of what I've learned is minor, it all contributes to the overall quality of my packages.
One of the first things I learned this year is that being able to work with a team is vital. While I am responsible for my own packages, it's important to collaborate with others to ensure that the show is quality and all of the packages that are scheduled to air are shown. I learned this time and time again when I didn't tell the producer the status of my package so they had to check up on me.
I've also learned that two interviews is the minimum for each package that I complete. This is offers more than one perspective and gives the viewer more information about the event. Depending on the package and angle being taken, the interviewee usually tells the story. If only one interview is shown, there could be missing information from the package that is key to the story. It's also important to know as much as possible about the event you're filming so that you can tell the story correctly. On top of all that, I've also learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as a journalist.
I believe that one of my greatest strengths is my voice overs. I think it's the correct tone and extremely clear; there are also no breathing noises or random pauses. My voice overs add to the quality of the package and if the package is to be professional, then a solid voice over is essential. I also believe that my voice overs have gotten better since the beginning of the year; however, there is always room for improvement. Another one of my strengths is my editing.
When it comes to video editing, I think that I am able to consistently keep my audio where it needs to be, color correct dark interviews or shots, and make the cuts necessary if some shots do not help the story, or cut an interview sound bite short if there is excess information that isn't needed - without making the cut obvious. My editing abilities have helped me enormously as the editing process is when the story comes together. I plan to pursue video editing as a career in the future, so everything I learn now will surely benefit me far beyond High School. While I do excel is some areas of Journalism, I am still a work in progress and struggle at both script writing and in some aspects of filming.
One of my weaknesses is script writing. Both for the live show and for voice overs in my packages. Although my scripts tell the story as they should, I don't think they are at the level they should be at. In some of my packages, such as the Raven Pops story, there are holes in the script that are important to the story. Specific the Raven Pops package, all of the solo and duet performers were not recognized. I am fault for this and will continue to look for ways to improve. Another one of my weaknesses is filming, ironically.
To say the least: my filming is subpar. Many of shots are out of focus, and others are shaky. When it comes to focusing shots, it can be difficult to tell whether or not they're in focus as the screen on the camera doesn't always make it very clear. It's not uncommon for me to be under the belief that my shot is focused only for me to import my footage later on and discover it was far from it, and sometimes also shaky; however, shaky shots are completely my fault. I don't use a tripod and that's something I will do next year. My filming is the only thing I would change because of all my simple mistakes that are easily corrected.
Putting all of this aside, I've truly enjoyed being in this class even though I don't always show it. If my filming is corrected, I know there is a future for me in Journalism. I'm looking forward to Senior year and making ONW Now much better than it was this year. As long as the incoming Juniors are committed, there are no limits.
One of the first things I learned this year is that being able to work with a team is vital. While I am responsible for my own packages, it's important to collaborate with others to ensure that the show is quality and all of the packages that are scheduled to air are shown. I learned this time and time again when I didn't tell the producer the status of my package so they had to check up on me.
I've also learned that two interviews is the minimum for each package that I complete. This is offers more than one perspective and gives the viewer more information about the event. Depending on the package and angle being taken, the interviewee usually tells the story. If only one interview is shown, there could be missing information from the package that is key to the story. It's also important to know as much as possible about the event you're filming so that you can tell the story correctly. On top of all that, I've also learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as a journalist.
I believe that one of my greatest strengths is my voice overs. I think it's the correct tone and extremely clear; there are also no breathing noises or random pauses. My voice overs add to the quality of the package and if the package is to be professional, then a solid voice over is essential. I also believe that my voice overs have gotten better since the beginning of the year; however, there is always room for improvement. Another one of my strengths is my editing.
When it comes to video editing, I think that I am able to consistently keep my audio where it needs to be, color correct dark interviews or shots, and make the cuts necessary if some shots do not help the story, or cut an interview sound bite short if there is excess information that isn't needed - without making the cut obvious. My editing abilities have helped me enormously as the editing process is when the story comes together. I plan to pursue video editing as a career in the future, so everything I learn now will surely benefit me far beyond High School. While I do excel is some areas of Journalism, I am still a work in progress and struggle at both script writing and in some aspects of filming.
One of my weaknesses is script writing. Both for the live show and for voice overs in my packages. Although my scripts tell the story as they should, I don't think they are at the level they should be at. In some of my packages, such as the Raven Pops story, there are holes in the script that are important to the story. Specific the Raven Pops package, all of the solo and duet performers were not recognized. I am fault for this and will continue to look for ways to improve. Another one of my weaknesses is filming, ironically.
To say the least: my filming is subpar. Many of shots are out of focus, and others are shaky. When it comes to focusing shots, it can be difficult to tell whether or not they're in focus as the screen on the camera doesn't always make it very clear. It's not uncommon for me to be under the belief that my shot is focused only for me to import my footage later on and discover it was far from it, and sometimes also shaky; however, shaky shots are completely my fault. I don't use a tripod and that's something I will do next year. My filming is the only thing I would change because of all my simple mistakes that are easily corrected.
Putting all of this aside, I've truly enjoyed being in this class even though I don't always show it. If my filming is corrected, I know there is a future for me in Journalism. I'm looking forward to Senior year and making ONW Now much better than it was this year. As long as the incoming Juniors are committed, there are no limits.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
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